NATIONAL VET GIRLS RISE DAY

On February 19, National Vet Girls RISE Day recognizes the immense dedication of the nearly 2 million U.S. veteran women.

On National Vet Girls ROCK Day, not only is it a day to recognize women veterans, but it’s a day for women veterans to support one another and to share resources, build relationships and spread awareness concerning the needs of women veterans

The willingness of America’s [Women] veterans to sacrifice for our country has earned them our lasting gratitude. ~Jeff Miller

Since the Revolutionary War, women have served in the armed forces, and many have not been recognized for their service. Today, the contributions of nearly 2 million women veterans deserve acknowledgment. National Vet Girls ROCK Day celebrates the bonds they formed and their experiences through military service.

While we can never truly repay the debt we owe our heroes, the least we should do for our brave veterans is to ensure that the government takes a proactive approach to delivering the services and benefits they have earned, so they can access the care they need and so richly deserve. ~Kirsten Gillibrand

Like thousands of military personnel, support transitioning from military to civilian life develops both their professional and personal success. Honoring their accomplishments, skills, and essential contributions both in the military and civilian fields elevate the place of the woman veteran to her proper position.

From the world wars of Europe to the jungles of the Far East, from the deserts of the Middle East to the African continent, and even here in our own hemisphere, our “women” veterans have made the world a better place and America the great country we are today. ~ John Hoeven

HISTORY

About Vet Girls Rock

Vet Girls Rock founded National Vet Girls Rock Day on February 19, 2019, to bring awareness to the contributions of women veterans to the United States military and to provide an opportunity for women veterans to celebrate the bonds they formed during their service.

Vet Girls RISE, an initiative under Active Veterans With Answers, founded in 2017, Vet Girls RISE serves as a resource and knowledge stream for women veterans. With the struggles of transitioning from military to civilian life; Vet Girls RISE was created to educate, enlighten, and support women veterans through professional and personal growth that improves awareness, potential, and identify talents. Women veterans who miss that camaraderie can find it in Vet Girls RISE.

HOW TO OBSERVE

Connect with other women veterans for camaraderie and support on National Vet Girls RISE Day. Join a VGR meetup at various designated restaurant locations throughout the United States and affirm your support of women veterans.

Tell us about your favorite woman veteran and use #VetGirlsRISEDay to share on social media. Follow AVWA and VGR on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram for upcoming AVWA and VGR events. (@avwaorg and @VetGirlsRock1)

Expressions of Gratitude

The definition of gratitude is being glad that something has or hasn’t happened; that something or someone exists; experiencing thanks. I started practicing gratitude about more than 15 years ago.  I have refocused on it after suffering a burst aneurysm in 2013. 

Being thankful on a regular basis improves our relationships, sleep, general well-being, and health.  Science has shown that there are many benefits to being grateful, and these are just a few.  Despite being a very simple exercise, when performed on a daily basis, it can have profoundly transformative results.  The habit of identifying things for which we are grateful each day creates new neuropathways in the brain, the more we practice being grateful (or, for that matter, anything we focus on).  For the brain, this process—known as neuroplasticity—is comparable to physical exercise.

Eventually, being grateful becomes a habit, which leads to a more optimistic perspective in general, especially during difficult situations.  We can be thankful for every moment as a chance to develop, learn, and discover a new way of being in the world, but we cannot be thankful for horrible things like this pandemic.  This is resilience.

Observe the abundance of creativity, ingenuity, and kindness all around you.  We are pushing ourselves to discover new ways to thrive rather than just survive.  The question, “What do I actually need?” is becoming more and more common.  What is most crucial?  We’re talking to loved ones about our deepest emotions and recognizing what matters most in life.

For 30 days, I want you to locate at least one item for which you are thankful every day.  A new habit takes around 30 days to form.  Don’t worry if you skip a day; just keep going.  As you write it down, acknowledge and experience the emotions it evokes in your heart.  Although you can do this at any time, it helps you sleep if you recall these things before bed.  Join me if you want to express your gratitude. Share to Social media using #Jen’sPerspectiveGratitudeChallenge .

This is my challenge

9 Year Anniversary

Celebrate nine years of love, commitment, and cherished memories with anniversary gifts that are as unique and meaningful as your journey together. The ninth anniversary is traditionally associated with pottery and willow, symbolizing strength, flexibility, and the beauty of a relationship that has been molded and refined over time. However, modern interpretations also embrace leather and lapis lazuli as timeless symbols of durability, luxury, and wisdom. Whether it’s a handcrafted leather journal filled with heartfelt poetry, a sleek leather accessory, or a stunning piece of lapis lazuli jewelry, these gifts offer a perfect blend of elegance and sentiment. Poetry, with its ability to capture emotions in words, adds a deeply personal touch, making your gift a true reflection of your bond.

Leather gifts, such as personalized wallets, photo albums, or custom-bound books, represent the resilience and enduring nature of your relationship. Pairing these with the deep blue hues of lapis lazuli, a stone historically revered for its connection to truth and harmony, creates a gift that is both meaningful and luxurious. Consider combining these elements—perhaps a leather-bound book of love poems adorned with lapis lazuli accents, or a piece of jewelry featuring the stone engraved with a line of poetry. These thoughtful and artistic gifts not only honor the past nine years but also inspire a future filled with continued love, growth, and shared dreams. Celebrate this milestone with a gift that speaks to the heart and stands the test of time.